"You didn't disappoint me, Graham. Not at all."
Lori buried her nose in the flowers, then lowered the bouquet a little, and seeing those sweet lips parted slightly, I went in for a kiss. Sighing softly, she opened up for me. I wanted to kiss her until she'd climb in my lap, but we were in a park. I had to consider that.
"I'm sorry I overreacted. That wasn’t okay. You deserved better than that. I promise to do better. And I’m sorry I pushed so much," she muttered when I let her go. "I shouldn't have. I was feeling a little insecure, and I was afraid you were slipping away from me. I love your crazy love, and your protectiveness."
Hearing those words from her was all I needed to feel whole.
"But I'm strong. I want you to know that. Even if I look shaken, that doesn't mean I can't handle things."
"I know you're strong. It's one of the things I love about you." I played with a strand of her hair, then pushed it behind her ear. It was time to bring up something else.
***
Lori
"Whatever happens, I want you to know there will never be a day when I don't want you and Milo." He said the words gently, cupping my face in his big hands. "I understand why you have that fear, but I need you to trust me, to trust us."
"I do."
"Obviously, I know it was wrong to write that scumbag a check."
“I don’t like that he got money out of you. I don’t like it at all. I know you meant well. But you understand what I mean about making decisions together, right?” I asked.
“I do. I promise that I do.”
"So we'll work together in the future? Not just on this, but also the problems with your dad and Nana.”
"We will," he assured me. "But know this: my instinct will always be to take care of the things that might upset you. Tell me how I can make it up to you."
"You don't have anything to make up for, but if you insist, I can think of a few things," I said coyly, running my forefinger from the button of his polo shirt to his sternum. He looked at me with those blue eyes I adored. They were full of love... and heat. The latter sent a sizzle so hot through me that I involuntarily shimmied my hips. Graham slyly raised one corner of his mouth.
Could this man not tempt me like this in broad daylight? I knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, though. It was just his irresistible sex appeal.
"Yeah, I can think of a few things too." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I love you, Lori. And I have great plans for us."
"Oh? Care to share them with me?"
He pulled back a notch. "I think I'll leave you guessing for now."
I laid both palms on his chest, debating how I could lure this out of him. Blackmail? Nah, too early in the day for that. Seduction? That could work. But we were in public, so my plan w
as a bust. Besides, I liked surprises. That didn't mean I didn't want hints, though.
"You really aren't going to tell me anything, are you?"
"No, I don't think I will. You're adorable when you're curious. And I'm good at making you fret."
"Don't be so full of yourself. I can resist your charm if I have to."
His eyes flashed. I liked to provoke him even more than he liked to make me fret.
"When you put it like that, sounds like I don't have much going for me."
"I didn't say I was immune," I pointed out, and then I started counting on my fingers.
"You've got a lot going for you. See, you have these unique talents in the kitchen, and the bedroom. Plus, you charmed my son and my siblings. That's no small feat. And you—"
He feathered his lips on my neck, and I lost not only my ability to speak, but also my trail of thought. When he placed open-mouthed kisses on my sweet spot, I squirmed and fidgeted. Then I felt the tip of his tongue slide across my skin too. Oh, this vile man. He wasn't going to sweet-talk me into anything anymore. Once the tongue was involved, I knew he was going to seduce me.